The Have Not Miami Dolphins Didn't Have "It" Vs. Texans

Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Houston Texans showed exactly what the Miami Dolphins are not, and clarified exactly what Tony Sparano's team doesn't have.

The 2009 Dolphins aren't fast starters.

Teams that dig themselves 27-3 halftime deficits in a game that features a playoff atmosphere clearly have trouble getting out of the blocks. That's been the case this season (remember that 0-3 start), and for many of the team's close losses.

It takes resiliency to rally back like this team's become accustomed to doing, but shows a lack of maturity to enter games flat.

"One part of the year we're not finishing, last part of the season we're not starting," said cornerback Nate Jones. "It's frustrating...We have yet to put together a full game."

The 2009 Dolphins also aren't a team that can survive more than their share of injuries.

The Dolphins were already hanging by a thin thread talent wise because of the season-ending injuries to key starters Ronnie Brown, Chad Pennington, Jason Ferguson and Will Allen. The last thing this team could do was afford to lose Channing Crowder to a foot injury, which happened on the very first defensive series, and Ricky Williams to a shoulder injury in the third quarter.

As admirable as Lex Hilliard's two touchdown performance was, there's a difference between a Heisman Trophy winner who has rushed for 1,000 yards a couple of times, and a former sixth round pick who worked his way off the practice squad. That might explain why the Dolphins only gained 60 rushing yards on 16 carries.

For instance, wouldn't a receiver like Andre Johnson, who commands double-teams on every single snap, look nice running down field, creating mismatches wherever he lines up.

Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Ted Ginn Jr. are all decent options. Second and third options. But which member of the Dolphins' receiving corp will EVER command a double-team one Sunday, much less every Sunday?

How about finding an accurate quarterback like Matt Schaub, who completed 14 of 18 passes in the first half, and finished the game with a 102.4 quarterback rating courtesy of his 286 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Chad Henne churned out yet another 300-yard passing performance, but he still looked like a quarterback pressing to produce.

How about getting a couple of big, physical linebackers like DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing, who punished ball carriers more than they tackled them. Watching Houston's anemic rushing attack gain 126 yards has to be troubling, but not as much as watching the linebackers bounce of the players they were suppose to be tackling.

As crushing as this loss was, it should provide a moment of clarity considering there's nothing special about the Houston Texans. That means the same can be said about the 2009 Miami Dolphins.

Sunday's loss means this 7-8 squad, which has been fueled by their tough guy approach, still needs plenty of work, and plenty of maturity before they can considering themselves true contenders in 2010.

The 2009 Dolphins kept getting second and third chances, but failed to capitalize on them.

"Every man has to look themselves in the mirror and say this is on us," Jones said. "We had a big opportunity and let it slip away.

"With this team sometimes we learn the hard way, and that's a sign we have to mature, start putting the load on our backs."